The Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it has arrested one of
its operatives, Uzodinma Kingsley Agbazue, for allegedly collecting a
N15million bribe from a lawmaker to kill a case.

The
commission said the suspect might face trial after administrative action has
been taken against him.

The EFCC
made the disclosures in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr.
Wilson Uwujaren, against the backdrop of the ongoing cleansing of the
anti-graft commission of bad eggs.

The
statement said: “In furtherance of its avowed commitment to upholding the
integrity of its officers, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
on Thursday, September 15, 2016 arrested one of its operatives, Uzodinma
Kingsley Agbazue for offences bordering on criminal conspiracy and extortion.

“Agbazue,
a Deputy Detective Superintendent, DDS, was arrested following a complaint by a
lawmaker currently under investigation by the commission, alleging that the
operative collected N15million from him with a promise to give him soft landing
by compromising the investigation.

“According
to the complainant, Agbazue allegedly approached him, claiming he had been
mandated by the officer handling the case to discuss and reach an agreement on
how to ‘kill the case’.

“Following
the approach, a sum of N15million was given to Agbazue whose game plan
collapsed after the investigating officer, who was ignorant of his scheme,
refused to do his bidding.

“With the
investigation gathering increased momentum after parting with the hefty sum,
the complainant became uncomfortable and demanded a refund.

“The
complainant stated that when he requested for the refund of his money, Agbazue
only returned N5million claiming that the balance of N10million had been given
to someone ‘to kill the case from the top’.

“The
complainant also alleged that the operative collected N1million at a different
time as assistance for settlement of his wife’s medical bill.

“Agbazue’s
action is in contravention of the commission’s mandate and ideals as the EFCC
will not solicit or accept gratification from a suspect to compromise a case
under investigation.

“The
suspect will be subjected to administrative action as precursor to possible
prosecution at the end of the investigation.”